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Sports
Friday, October 2, 2015 — 7
Breakdown: ‘M’ vs. Maryland
By ZACH SHAW
Daily Sports Editor
The last time the Michigan
football team went on the road,
no one knew what to expect.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh
was
making
his
coaching
debut, the starting quarterback
was a mystery, the defensive
replacements for NFL Draft picks
Jake Ryan and Frank Clark were
unknown and fans wondered just
how competetive the team would
be.
One
month
after
the
Wolverines’ 24-17 loss to now-
No. 10 Utah, those questions have
been answered. Jake Rudock is
the starting quarterback. The
defense is one of the deepest
and highest-achieving units in
the country. By outscoring its
last three opponents 94-14 and
entering the polls for the first time
since Nov. 2, 2013, Michigan looks
like it has the potential to surpass
preseason expectations.
While everything is going
right for the Wolverines (3-1),
everything is going wrong for
their opponent. Maryland (2-2)
hosts Michigan after getting
blown out last week by West
Virginia, 45-6, and losing by
three touchdowns to mid-major
Bowling Green three weeks ago.
Here’s how things break down
for Saturday:
Michigan
pass
offense
vs.
Maryland pass defense
Before the season, the edge
would have gone to Maryland’s
pass defense. With plenty of
returning
defensive
backs
—
including star junior Will Likely
— pass defense was expected
to be one of the Terrapins’ best
units, while the Wolverines rolled
out a new quarterback without a
clear replacement at receiver for
second-round draft pick Devin
Funchess.
However,
Maryland’s
secondary has underachieved,
allowing opponents to complete
60 percent of their passes for 267
yards per game, and gave up 491
yards in the air against Bowling
Green.
Michigan has looked more
capable in the passing game each
week. The Wolverines rank just
96th in the nation at 194 passing
yards per game, but much of that
has to do with the fact that they
haven’t trailed in 11 quarters and
have become a run-first team.
Edge: Michigan
Michigan
rush
offense
vs.
Maryland rush defense
Michigan has rushed for 732
yards and 10 touchdowns in its
last three games and showcases
its depth more each week. With
four running backs who have
started multiple games in their
collegiate careers, the Wolverines
might not even have to use their
lead back, junior De’Veon Smith,
who tweaked his right ankle in
last week’s win against BYU.
Likely to be behind early in
stormy weather, Maryland can
expect to see a lot of run plays
Saturday. The question then
becomes — after allowing over
200 yards per game and 4.31
yards per carry in its first four
games — whether or not the
defensive front can stop the
inevitable.
Edge: Michigan
Maryland
pass
offense
vs.
Michigan pass defense
Perhaps one of the most
lopsided matchups in the entire
Big Ten, Michigan brings the
nation’s fifth-best pass defense
to College Park, while Maryland
is still looking for a replacement
after sixth-year senior C.J. Brown
and his top two receiving targets
graduated last year.
None of the Terrapins’ three
quarterbacks have been up to the
task yet, completing 50.4 percent
on their passes and tossing a
nation-leading 12 interceptions on
just 125 pass attempts. Maryland’s
starting quarterback for Saturday,
junior Caleb Rowe, threw four
picks in three quarters against
West Virginia last week.
In Michigan’s corner is an
upperclassman-heavy
unit
that is not only one of the most
experienced in the country, but
also one of the best. Whereas
Maryland gave up 491 passing
yards against Bowling Green, the
Wolverines have given up 487
passing yards all season.
Edge: Michigan
Maryland
rush
offense
vs.
Michigan rush defense
In
a
matchup
of
two
experienced and talented units,
it’s tough to tell whose numbers
hold more weight. Behind senior
Brandon Ross, Maryland has
piled up 196 yards per game and
is gaining 5.85 yards per carry.
Fortunately for the Terrapins,
they can count on four or five
backs in any given game to ensure
their rushing attack is not only
effective, but creative.
Rotating juniors and seniors
in and out at will, Michigan’s
run defense has shown flashes
of dominance, allowing just 2.52
yards per carry and 82 yards per
game. Tack on 17 tackles for loss,
and Michigan has every capability
to stall Maryland.
Edge: Push
Special teams
If nothing else, Maryland has
a clear edge over the Wolverines
on special teams. Senior kicker
Brad Craddock was a second-
team All American last season
after going 18-for-19 in field goals
and converting all 41 extra-point
attempts. In the return game, Will
Likely will likely be the Terrapins’
biggest threat to find the end zone,
as he already has 337 punt return
yards — 109 more than any other
returner in the country.
Michigan
has
improved
since last season in special
teams. Sophomore safety Jabrill
Peppers has shown glimpses
of explosiveness in the return
game, while seniors Blake O’Neill
and Kenny Allen have brought
consistency to the punting and
kicking
games,
respectively,
narrowing the gap evident last
season between the two programs
evident last season.
Make no mistake, Maryland’s
special teams are as good as any
in the country. The only question
is — with winds and a hurricane
knocking on the door — will
it impact the game enough for
Maryland to have a shot?
Edge: Maryland
Prediction:
Michigan
23,
Maryland 0
JAMES COLLER/Daily
Jake Rudock will look to build on last week’s performance against BYU.
Michigan heads into
uncharted territory
By JAKE LOURIM
Managing Sports Editor
Before this season, the Big
Ten announced
that this week’s
Michigan-
Maryland
football
game
would be an 8
p.m.
kickoff.
It appeared at
the time that
it might be a
chance for Big
Ten newcomer
Maryland
to
knock off the
Wolverines
for
a
second
straight year in their first visit to
College Park.
Now,
the
night-game
atmosphere is gone, and the
Terrapins’ chances of an upset
have dwindled as well.
Hurricane
Joaquin,
which
could move through the mid-
Atlantic on Saturday night, forced
the conference to move the game
up to noon. The two teams will
take field moving in opposite
directions, with No. 22 Michigan
(3-1) coming off a 31-0 rout of
Brigham Young and Maryland
(2-2) limping from a 45-6 loss at
West Virginia. That makes the
Wolverines a safer road bet than
any time in recent memory.
Coming in as a favorite means
the
Wolverines
must
avoid
disaster and eliminate variables,
two tasks coach Jim Harbaugh
has managed well this year.
Michigan
has
some
room
for error on Saturday, but the
worst-case scenario is dropping
a winnable game and leaving
College Park at 0-1 in the Big
Ten. To avoid that, fifth-year
senior Jake Rudock must avoid
turnovers and the defense must
limit big plays.
In the former of those areas,
Maryland has intercepted four
passes and recovered just one
fumble this season. On the other
side, the Terrapins have four
touchdown passes of at least 35
yards, but their true big-play
threat is punt returner Will
Likely, who — despite being a
cornerback — has a team-high
489 all-purpose yards this season.
Some
highlight-reel
plays
might be Maryland’s best chance
to stay in the game, and Michigan
coach Jim Harbaugh is on “high
alert” in the special-teams game.
“The
coverage
units
are
going to have to be great, both
the kickoff coverage and the
punt coverage,” Harbaugh said
Monday. “This return game that
Maryland has is one of the best
I’ve ever seen in college football,
and so is their returner.”
The Wolverines can do their
best to control Maryland’s return
game, but they can’t account for
the intangibles, namely the road
environment and the weather.
But Michigan doesn’t intend to
let those factors affect the game. It
will keep the game plan the same,
even in heavy rain or gusty winds.
“We’re kind of a weatherproof
team, I think, so it’s not something
that
we’re
really
concerned
about,” said tight ends coach Jay
Harbaugh. “We’ll play anywhere.
We’ll play on the moon, or Mars.
They found water there, so maybe
that’s our next spot.”
Still, the conditions aren’t ideal
for Michigan’s first-ever trip to
College Park. The Wolverines
lost last year’s meeting in Ann
Arbor, 23-16, missing out on their
sixth win. A loss at Ohio State the
following week dashed their bowl
hopes for good.
While it’s too early in the
season for a must-win game,
Maryland is in a similar position.
The Terrapins have struggled this
season and face question marks at
several positions. It’s Michigan’s
job to exploit them, just as it was
Maryland’s last year.
FOOTBALL
‘M’ blanks Maryland
By CHRIS CROWDER
Daily Sports Writer
In the Michigan women’s
soccer team’s last match, it
allowed its first goal in 39
seconds
to
rival
Michigan
State.
In Thursday’s match against
Maryland, though, the defense
led the way, making it difficult
for the Terrapins to score.
The Wolverines (3-1 Big Ten,
8-4 overall) put last week’s
loss behind them, shutting out
Maryland (0-4, 5-7) to win, 1-0,
in College Park.
Michigan coach Greg Ryan
said
the
Terrapin
attack
might be better than that of
the Spartans. He knew the
performance against Michigan
State was not indicative of his
team’s ability. With a relentless
offensive attack and a defense
that might as well have been
a stone wall, the Wolverines
outplayed Maryland throughout
the game.
Michigan
came
close
to
scoring in the 10th minute of
the game on its third corner
kick.
Senior
midfielder
Christina Murillo crossed it to
the right side of the six-yard
box, and after two deflections,
junior forward Madisson Lewis
had a chance to put the ball into
the net at the left post. But her
header sailed harmlessly over
the goal.
Lewis had another shot on
goal in the 17th minute off
of a counterattack. After the
Wolverines cut through the
defense with an advantage,
Lewis blasted a shot, but it was
saved by Maryland goalkeeper
Rachelle Beanlands.
“In the first half, we just
continually attacked,” Ryan said.
“The attack pressure we created
was fantastic. We controlled the
game because we had the ball
more than they did.”
Finally,
the
Wolverines’
attack paid off in the 35th
minute. A cross outside the
18-yard
box
deflected
off
of a Terrapin defender, and
freshman
midfielder
Abby
Kastroll was in the right place
at the most opportune time.
Kastroll ended up with the ball
at her feet and nobody but the
goalkeeper in front of her, and
she easily scored from six yards
out, giving Michigan a 1-0 lead.
“(Kastroll) just dominated
Maryland’s players when she
was attacking throughout the
game,” Ryan said. “Defensively,
she was outstanding as well.”
Despite a couple of Maryland
scoring
opportunities,
the
Wolverines’ lead was intact at
halftime, and with seven corner
kick opportunities to boot. For
comparison, before Thursday’s
match, Michigan averaged 8.5
corner kicks per game.
Maryland
had
limited
opportunities for the equalizer
due
to
Michigan’s
stifling
defense, which switched to
a five-player back line in the
second half. The Terrapins had
a corner kick with 12 minutes
left in the game, but the service
hit the outside of the net. The
Wolverine defense continued to
be nearly impenetrable for the
rest of the contest, as it earned
its fifth shutout of the season.
“(Compared to the match
against Michigan State), our
focus, our concentration and
the energy we brought to the
game (were) what was really
different,” Ryan said.
While the defense played
virtually mistake-free ball, the
offense had many opportunities
to score, but failed to capitalize
numerous times. Still, the sign
of a more aggressive offense
is promising as Michigan gets
deeper into Big Ten conference
play.
“I told them after the game,
‘You guys have found yourselves
again,’ ” Ryan said. “ ‘(How you
played tonight) is what you have
to bring into every game.’ ”
WOMEN’S SOCCER
What to watch for Saturday
By MAX BULTMAN
Daily Sports Editor
With a Category 4 hurricane
bearing down on Capital One
Field at Byrd Stadium, Saturday’s
game between Michigan and
Maryland was moved from 8 p.m.
to noon ET.
That likely won’t stop Michigan
fans from showing up, as the No.
22 Wolverines are ranked in the
Top 25 for the first time since
November 2013, and expectations
under coach Jim Harbaugh are as
high as ever.
Assuming the game is played,
here’s what to watch for when
Michigan takes on Maryland.
1. Raining cats and dogs
While the earlier start could
help shield fans and the athletes
from the potentially catastrophic
conditions,
it’s
not
like
the
Wolverines and Terrapins will be
squaring off in a sunny meadow.
Winds of around 20 miles per
hour are expected throughout
the game, which is more than
enough to impact play calling for
both teams. Don’t expect to see
many pass attempts or long field
goals, and look for both teams to
turn to their running backs on
offense.
A run-heavy game bodes well
for Michigan’s stout defensive
line, and it could also mean a
quick game — an added bonus
with the hurricane approaching.
2. Will De’Veon Smith play?
Michigan’s workhorse tailback
injured his ankle in the third
quarter against BYU but said after
the game he expected to be ready
for Maryland. However, he also
wore a boot as a precautionary
measure, and Harbaugh was mum
on the running back’s status in his
Monday press conference.
Smith’s status shouldn’t affect
the outcome of the game — the
Wolverines are heavy favorites
— but it could be an indicator of
how severe the injury is. Then
again, with a stable of capable
backs itching to play, Michigan
could opt to rest Smith even if he
is healthy, just to be safe.
If Smith isn’t in the lineup, look
for redshirt sophomore Ty Isaac
and junior Derrick Green to get
the lion’s share of the carries, with
redshirt junior Drake Johnson as
a change-of-pace back.
3. Fear of a letdown/looking
ahead
Coming off a 31-0 win over
BYU, there is some risk of a
letdown for the newly ranked
Wolverines. What’s more, No.
16 Northwestern comes to Ann
Arbor a week later, setting up a
dangerous bookend around an
underwhelming Maryland team.
But with Harbaugh at the
helm, you can expect Michigan
to be well prepared, if not at peak
levels of motivation. Harbaugh
said his message to his team after
the win over BYU was simple:
“Congratulations,
outstanding
game and onward.” If that isn’t
enough, the Wolverines can also
look to the fact that the Terrapins
beat them at the Big House last
season.
For Maryland, knocking off a
ranked Michigan team, however
unlikely, could inject life into
an otherwise ugly season. The
Wolverines aren’t on upset watch,
but don’t be stunned if they don’t
look as polished as they have in
recent weeks.
4. In all Likely-hood
Maryland’s star cornerback/
return specialist Will Likely gives
fits to special teams units, just like
he does to writers with limited
vocabulary who want to describe
a probable series of events.
Harbaugh has sung Likely’s
praises all week, and Michigan
will likely avoid him all game if
it can. Still, Likely will make his
impact felt just by being in the
Wolverines heads. He is averaging
28.1 yards per punt return and
has already returned two for
touchdowns this season. He’s
almost as dangerous on kickoffs,
where he is averaging 21.7 yards
per return and has an 85-yard
touchdown return.
Punting to Will Likely is a bad
idea. Don’t expect Michigan to do
it.
Michigan at
Maryland
Matchup:
Michigan 3-1;
Maryland 2-2
When:
Saturday
12 P.M.
Where: Byrd
Stadium
TV/Radio:
BTN
JAMES COLLER/Daily
De’Veon Smith is battling an ankle injury he suffered in last week’s game.
MARYLAND
MICHIGAN
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